A little more about...Silat Melayu

 

 

 

If there is a tray in thy hand,

Pray do not let it falleth to the ground;

If there is a weapon in thy hand,

Do not let those weapons be taken away from thee,

Should the Gayong break within this tray,

Lost in the seven seas the fate of the tray shall be,

For the end of the Gayong means the end of unity,

And there shall be none to do except wait for time to mend itself.

 

- Amanah Arwah Dato' Meor Abdul Rahman

 

[Translated by Tan Sri Deepa Muniandy]

 

 

 

This piece of poetry encapsulates the core of Silat Melayu, the first martial arts in the Malay Archipelago. Resonating with the values and beliefs enshrined by Silat’s practioners, the poem asserts that unity and loyalty is what matters, much more than weapons or wealth.  

 

The term Gayong in the poem is used by the Northern Peninsula of Malaysia to describe the Silat practice. The verse goes on to explain how Silat is important in upholding the very state of harmony in a kingdom, something that was once considered the gospel truth, especially during the Golden Era of the Malacca Sultanate in the 15th century.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where does Silat Melayu come from?

 

Silat Melayu originated from the hills of Malabar, as well as drawing influence from China, and was practiced by the locals to hunt for food and keep their enemies at bay. Silat has deep roots in Malay culture, having been part of it since the 1st Century due to trade with Arab and Indian merchants, who passed on these practices to the Malays as they did many others.

 

 

 

 

What are the underlying influences for Silat Melayu?

 

The influence of mysticism as well as Hinduism is very apparent in the art of Silat; many Masters since have tried to re-interpret the martial art movements along the lines of Islam to adhere to the Islamic standards which are now the norm. However, there are still purists out there, striving to keep the original art form alive.

 

 

 

 

Weapons of Silat Melayu

 

The influence of myths infused with legends of old, as well as cautionary tales, is what makes Silat unique. The end presentation of the Silat focuses on how the being becomes one with nature to overcome the enemy. Hence, the weapons used during a Silat battle are often made out of elements of nature. For instance, the bamboo staff weapon used in Silat originates from the Tamil Kingdom of Raja Chola, and the early traders had brought the practice of ‘silambam’ – the wielding of bamboo staffs – to the Malay Archipelago.

 

The famous Keris, a dagger with a wavy blade which is treated by dipping it into acid, mainly found its way into the Silat practice by way of Malacca admirals, most notably Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, Hang Kasturi, Hang Lekiu and Hang Lekir.

 

Though the debate on Hang Tuah is still ongoing, and there is endless speculation about whether such a character truly existed during the Malacca Sultanate, the keris did find its way into the Silat culture and has since remained, playing an integral role within the martial arts.

 

 

 

 

 

Silat Melayu today

 

Integral though the part played by Silat remains, the age old practice is dying out. Due to the elements of Hinduism and mysticism within it, the Malay society of today is somewhat hesitant in taking it up again. Nevertheless, the government has held many workshops and has even sponsored certain masters that practise a form of Silat devoid of any element that goes against the teachings of Islam.